Vinyl pressings
by Leopold Stokowski And His Symphony Orchestra · 1950
The Heart Of The Ballet was first pressed on vinyl in 1950. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1950, the album's first year, in 3 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
49-1238A 1S A1D CRunout Side 1 stamped
49-1238B 1S A1C CRunout Side 10 stamped
49-1239A 1S B1C CRunout Side 2 stamped
49-1239B 1S A1C CRunout Side 9 stamped
EO-LRC-3852Matrix Side 1
EO-LRC-3853Matrix Side 2
EO LRC 3852 30S I A3Runout Stamped Side 1
EO LRC 3853 21S I A1Runout Stamped Side 2
E-O-L-R-C-3852Runout Side A stamped
E-O-L-R-C-3853Runout Side B stamped
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal LM 1083 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1083First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1950 | Chile | RCA Victor Sello Rojo WDM-1394First year7", 45 RPM, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono, Colored vinyl |
| 1950 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal WDM 1394First year7", 45 RPM, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono, Colored vinyl |
| 1950 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1083First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1954 | France | La Voix De Son Maître FALP 277LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1954 | UK | His Master's Voice ALP 1133 / His Master's Voice ALP.1133LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Spain | RCA Victrola VIC 1020LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | UK | RCA Victrola VIC 1020 / RCA Victrola VIC.1020LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | RCA Victor Red Seal LM - 1083LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | New Zealand | His Master's Voice MALP 1133 / His Master's Voice MALP.1133LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | South Africa | RCA Red Seal 30,081 / RCA Red Seal LM [X] 1083LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Spain | RCA 3L16154LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
12 vinyl pressings of The Heart Of The Ballet are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1950 and 1963.
The earliest pressings are from 1950, in US, Canada, Chile. One of them is RCA Victor Red Seal WDM 1394, released September 1950.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WDM 1394, LM-1083, LM 1083, WDM-1394) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 49-1238A 1S A1D C and 49-1238B 1S A1C C. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
